Stacie Allen, President/CEO of The Bridge of Southern New Mexico, and a panel of education leaders from Doña Ana County’s early college high schools will be featured at the Tuesday, January 7, MVEDA “Business in the Borderplex” Forum.   

Hosted by the Mesilla Valley Economic Alliance (MVEDA), the monthly forum is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces at 705 S. Telshor.  A hot entrée buffet will be served.

Stacie Allen will speak about how the Bridge Board of Directors has created an innovative model of cross-sector collaboration for New Mexico that offers students dual-credit coursework, career readiness skills and business internships.  The Bridge connects education, workforce development, and economic development to increase student graduation rates and prepare students to successfully enter the workforce.

Bridge leaders and their community partners have demonstrated how business can work hand-in-hand with education leaders to develop the state’s future workforce, entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders.  The state’s first early college high school, Arrowhead Park Early College High School (ECHS), opened in 2010 in Las Cruces.

A panel of education leaders from Doña Ana County’s early college high schools will showcase the current innovative models that are connecting high school students to the workforce:

  • Jennifer Amis, Principal, Arrowhead Park ECHS and the new Allied Health ECHS, which opens in July 2014.
  • Gema Salcedo, ECHS administrator, Gadsden Independent School District, Anthony, NM.
  • Kathie Davis, Principal, Rio Grande Preparatory Institute, located in the former San Andres High School in Mesilla.

Advance registration is $20.00 per person, payable by major credit card via the secure portal on the registration form. Payment at the door with cash, check or credit card is $25.00 per person.  Due to space constraints reservations are required. Registration closes on Friday, January 3, 2014.